Department of Archaeology

 Founded in 2008, the Department of Archaeology at Hazara University is a research-led, field-oriented centre for the study, conservation and public presentation of Pakistan’s cultural heritage within wider South and Central Asian contexts. We integrate archaeological theory and method with conservation science, heritage management, museum practice, epigraphy, numismatics, and the art and architecture of Buddhist and Islamic traditions. Teaching is delivered in small cohorts with close academic advising, extensive fieldwork and studio-lab classes. Students work with modern instrumentation in our Experimental Archaeology Laboratory and Archaeological Conservation Laboratory (including X-ray fluorescence and diffraction, digital microscopy/Dino-Lite, vacuum hood and ultrasonic cleaning, multimeter and related benches) as well as survey and recording equipment (e.g., digital total station). Beyond the classroom, the department runs excavations, surveys and documentation projects, conservation practicums, and regular conferences, workshops and trainings that connect students with practitioners and employers.

We maintain national and international collaborations/MoUs that create pathways to internships, joint research and field placements. Our international collaborations and MoUs include links with the University of Wisconsin Madison (USA), University of Leicester (UK), Ain Shams University (Egypt), the Italian Archaeological Mission to Pakistan (ISMEO), Mansoura University (Egypt), Department of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge (UK). The department is also bound in the same way with the national entities such as, the Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations (Quaid-i-Azam University), and the Directorate of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The department sustains a strong publication culture (e.g., monographs, survey and excavation reports, and contributions to Pakistan Heritage), and curates teaching collections and outreach activities (including museum-facing collaborations). Typical career destinations include: federal/provincial Departments of Archaeology & Museums; museum curation and education; conservation and cultural resource management; academia and research; directorates of culture and tourism (federal/provincial); cultural tourism consultancy and guiding.

To support access and progression, students can compete for a broad scholarship/internship portfolio, such as Honahar Scholarship (Punjab), KP Education Endowment/Fund programmes, Chinese Ambassador Scholarship, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal Scholarship, HEC Need-Based Scholarships, sibling fee concessions, laptop schemes, and provincial educational stipends (as periodically announced). Departmental enquiries may be directed to [email protected]; further information is available at www.hu.edu.pk

The vision of the Department of Archaeology is to produce professionals in the field of Archaeology, Heritage Management and Cultural Tourism to play a vital role in the economic development of the country. 

The mission of the Department of Archaeology is to provide high quality education in the fields of Archaeology, Heritage Management and Cultural Tourism to produce quality professionals and experts in different fields of Archaeology.

As Head of the Department of Archaeology at Hazara University, I am delighted to introduce a dynamic, research-led unit committed to excellence in teaching, fieldwork, and heritage stewardship. Established in 2008, the department now offers a full pathway from BS and MA to MPhil and PhD, alongside Pakistan’s first programes in Heritage Management developed with national and international partners. Our curriculum spans South Asian archaeology, conservation, museum studies, epigraphy, numismatics, Islamic and Buddhist art and architecture, and cultural tourism, underpinned by rigorous training in research methods and professional ethics. Students benefit from small group teaching, structured advising, and extensive field opportunities, while our laboratories, equipped for analytical and experimental archaeology (including XRF, XRD, microscopy, digital total station, and related instrumentation), foster hands-on competence and innovation. Staff are active scholars who integrate current research into the classroom and cultivate collaborations with heritage agencies and the tourism sector. With access to a digital library and modern teaching resources, our graduates are prepared to contribute confidently to archaeological research, cultural heritage conservation, cultural resource management, museums, and heritage tourism at regional, national, and international levels. We welcome prospective students, partners, and donors to join us in advancing the study and protection of Pakistan’s rich archaeological heritage.